Comedian Adam Carolla surprised California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom with a question about COVID-19 during a NewsNation panel discussion ahead of the first 2024 presidential debate.
Governor Newsom famously flew to Mexico with his family after signing an executive order in November 2021 extending the state's COVID-19 emergency restrictions that were first enacted in March 2020. Carolla posed an unexpected series of questions to the California governor about his COVID-19 pandemic orders, taking aim at the governor's weak spot.
“Governor, why did you close California's beaches during COVID?” Carola asked.
“Well, I think at that time we were all working on gathering information,” Newsom said. “Well, we didn't have a foundation of deep understanding of the virus. I mean…”
“So you had no idea. So why did you close the beaches?” Newsom continued, before Carolla interjected.
“I think other states, including Florida, have done the same thing,” Newsom continued.
“If you didn't know anything, why did you close the beach?” Carola asked.
“We didn't know that early on in the pandemic because people were concerned,” Newsom said. “Information was coming out about how this disease is transmitted. People were being cautious, they were trying to protect people's lives. And I should have said, 'We're not going to let this virus spread.'
“They didn't let kids get sunlight, get their Vitamin D, they didn't let them exercise, so they shouldn't have closed the beach,” Carola interjected, “and they arrested a guy for paddleboarding in the bay.”
Gavin Newsom – A man whose policies are so bad that you can't even defend them. pic.twitter.com/RjN4Uf2JMT
— Adam Carolla (@adamcarolla) June 29, 2024
Governor Newsom's stay-at-home orders closed many California beaches during the peak of the pandemic. In April 2020, a man paddleboarding at a Malibu beach was arrested after he occupied a body of water alone and refused to leave until authorities removed him. (Related: 'He pooped in his bed': Bill Maher slams Biden for 'disorganized, halting' debate performance)
Governor Newsom's COVID social distancing guidelines state that gatherings pose a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, yet the California governor was seen ignoring his own rules in November 2020 by attending a dinner party with far more than the recommended household size of three people.
“So, um, health, wealth and …” Newsom paused for a moment before continuing.
“We're all geniuses,” Newsom said with a grin as Carolla pressed him on why he banned outdoor dining. The only face on screen, the governor ignored Carolla and said, “Adam, good to see you,” as Carolla could be heard confronting Newsom in the background.
Carolla said Wednesday he plans to leave “terrible” California for the holidays. exterior Appearing on “The Sage Steele Show,” the comedian lamented “Los Angeles' recent downturn” while slamming Newsom as a “sociopath.”
